Masch v Didi

With both men coming out in the press in the last 24 hours with views on the game and 2 clubs (us and city) I have them both stuck in me head. Now Im curious as to who you all think is superior?

Hamann to me is a legend a man who always done his job to almost perfection without much public praise, no need to mention Istanbul. To compliment Masch all I can say is we have not missed Didi because of him. Hes a warrior and if you started following Liverpool today you would think Masch was born in the city boundaries!

Id love to know who, if both were available at there best, would you rather have in your first 11?

They're very different players IMO. Didi was much better at attacking and could score some real beauts and was a threat from set pieces where as Masch very rarely gets a shot on target and doesn't pose a threat from set pieces.

Though Masch IMO is a lot better at defending, partly because he has a lot more pace than Didi has ever had and just never stops running.

I cant really decide to be honest so would play them both, given the fact Aquilani gets played centre mid I would happily see him dropped for this pairing.

They're very different players IMO. Didi was much better at attacking and could score some real beauts and was a threat from set pieces where as Masch very rarely gets a shot on target and doesn't pose a threat from set pieces.

Though Masch IMO is a lot better at defending, partly because he has a lot more pace than Didi has ever had and just never stops running.

I cant really decide to be honest so would play them both, given the fact Aquilani gets played centre mid I would happily see him dropped for this pairing.

Didi scored some beauts but Id never see him as attack minded. I always seen him as the masch of his era. Maybe its just how I viewed him and might be wrong in comparing the 2?

I'd prefer Didi to be honest.

Still think Masch needs to work on his all round game before he can call himself the best in his position.

Didi scored some beauts but Id never see him as attack minded. I always seen him as the masch of his era. Maybe its just how I viewed him and might be wrong in comparing the 2?

Did would always be lurking around the edge of the area waiting for the ball to fall to him and he could play the strikers through really well, that to me is pretty attack minded and we don't see much of this from Masch.

Didi was also better in the air, though this could be down to the difference in height.

One thing that is without doubt the same with them IMO, is that they have never been given the credit they really deserve.

Didi was always consistant and never let us down.

Nobody covers as much ground as Masch does in a game. (or get booked as much  )

Two fantastic players.

Have to give it to Didi for changing the course of the game in Istanbul when he came on.  

(or get booked as much  )

This is actually a good point, i think this has actually swayed it for me to be honest, i would prefer Didi because Masch can't control his mouth a lot of the time, already been sent off for it.

Masch everytime for me. Got a lot of respect for Didi and what he's done for the club, especially the Champions League Final. But Masch shades it for me, he is a pure warrior and an absolute f**king animal.I know Masch gets booked quite often, but that's because he's chasing everything down, all of the time and he's always fighting to the death for everything. For what he lacks against Didi with regards to technical ability he more than makes up for with pure tenacity. Players like Masch are like rocking horse sh*t in todays world of over pampered faggots that would be better suited in Olympic diving competitions. I wouldn't swap Masch for anyone, a player who'll give his all, run through ten brick walls for the cause, and still come out fighting on the other side. A true old skool warrior!

Pole added.

Every pack needs a hunter, and Masch is most definitely our hunter. When he gets on the pitch he becomes possessed.

There's a picture in the Liverpool meets Photoshop thread with Masch holding Scholes and Andersons severed heads in either hand and i F***ing love it! If murder was legal, Masch would have no hesitation in recreating the scene in real life, of that i have no doubt.

There is no possible way I could pick between the 2, they both gave everything when they wear/wore the red shirt, and are two completely different players.

As is said previously, Didi was more attack minded (even if he does smoke, drink & use pot ) and Masch is a Red Human brick wall in defence, with the pace of Road Runner

No choice for me, for the simple reason that I cant

Has to be Masch even though I loved Didi, in fairness to Didi he defo has more of a goal threat than Masch. But at 25 i think Masch can go onto be a Liverpool great(if he stays).

Will never forget Didi changing the game when he came on in that famous game where he shackled Kaka. Masch did it 2 years later but it doesn't get recognised as much because we lost to Milan 2-1 in a match we controlled.

Without a doubt Didi for me. Masch is a great player but Didi always offered that attack threat as well as being just as good at keeping it tight at the back.

What people maybe forgetting as well is Didi was i think 26 or 27 when we bought him off Newcastle, Masch is still only 25 and going to get better and better.

Been thinking about this for the past half hour because I couldn't pick one of them but I think I'm going to have to say Masch.

Although Didi is a legend and I'll remember him for his efforts in the CL final Masch just edges it for me. He has a great work ethic and does 'back to basic' no-nonsense defending. He usually puts a lot of effort into his game- why he has seen a fair few cards, but with many years in his playing career still to go he can improve this.

I also think Masch would be better in this team than Didi as I think defence is better than Masch than the attack would be with Didi.

Been thinking about this for the past half hour because I couldn't pick one of them but I think I'm going to have to say Masch.

Although Didi is a legend and I'll remember him for his efforts in the CL final Masch just edges it for me. He has a great work ethic and does 'back to basic' no-nonsense defending. He usually puts a lot of effort into his game- why he has seen a fair few cards, but with many years in his playing career still to go he can improve this.

I also think Masch would be better in this team than Didi as I think defence is better than Masch than the attack would be with Didi.

Havent voted meself cos I cant pick!! Its ok starting a topic but choosing an answer to it!!!

^ Haha, yeah very different!

Good topic this though Brian, should be some good answers to this

Didi great player loads of respect for him and will never forget his contribution in Istanbul, Especially for Vladi's goal, But Masch gets my vote cos he is currently in the top 3 defensive mid-fielders in the world and he is still with us, Simples.

Very difficult to choose between the two. As much as I love Didi for what he did for this club during the early noughties, Mascherano is the best DM in the world, and for me that gives him my vote, as Didi realistically wasn't.

Very difficult to choose between the two. As much as I love Didi for what he did for this club during the early noughties, Mascherano is the best DM in the world, and for me that gives him my vote, as Didi realistically wasn't.

I agree about it being very difficult but i don't agree with saying Masch is the best defensive mid in the world. He is certainly right up there and is a contender but i think Essien is a better DM than him.

Wouldn't choose, Didi was good at he done for us and Masch is good at what he does for us, so no vote from me, sorry.

Shows how difficult it is to choose between them, 6 votes each at the moment

Mascherano just edges it for me.

As good as Hamann was, he was very much a consitent 'play it easy' player whereas Mascherano has a 'wow' factor when on top of his game.

If we're talking about defensive responsibilities then it's definitely got to be Javier.

No doubt both players are really good but I went for Didi.

First thing is, he changed the game when he came on against AC Milan back in 2005. Didi never possesed that much of a pace but he was able to read games. Also could score a cracker from a free kick.

I love Masch. It is indeed his defending abilities that stands out and his hunger and determination. Ask me again in a couple of years and I may choose Masch over Didi.

Don't get me wrong. Both players are amazing but they are great what they do so comparing them is a little difficult!

Didi every day of the week.

He offered us much more in both halves of the field. He wasn't exactly prolific but he stilled chipped in with a few during his time here. His ability to keep the ball is better than Mascherano's which when sitting in front of the back four is key. You can't afford to give it away cheaply, something Masch still does although not as much as he used to.

I also think Didi's positional play is better than Masch's. Didi had no pace so for him to shut the opposition out meant he had to position himself right whereas Masch can be out of position but uses his engine to get across the field to win the ball. And again patrolling in front of the back four, positional play is key.

People always talk about the role Didi played during the European Cup final of 2005 but he did that on a regular basis. It's not like that was a one off, he made a living out of shutting the opposition down. He very rarely had a bad game, he was so consistent it was unreal.

So in the words of Rafa Fitzmaurice "follow the Kraut"

Cant really call it yet Dont think masch has hit his peak (still in the top three in his position in the world imo) still got some improving to do think in a couple of years he will be recognised as a better player than Didi but will have to do something amazing in his time at liverpool to be rememberd more fondly than him after coming on in istanbul and sorting kaka out

Havent voted meself cos I cant pick!! Its ok starting a topic but choosing an answer to it!!!

Come along now Brian, you can't start a topic and then abstain from voting in the poll now, can you? 

Just because Masch doesn't chip in with goals, doesn't mean he hasn't offered us much in the attacking half. His passing abilities this year have been on display. He has played some absolutely fabulous balls, and he has also filled in at right back.

That being said, I can't pick between the two of them. Two absolute greats, and if Masch extends his stay here like I think he will, he will also be an Anfield legend.

Didi and Masch both are boss.

Masch for me.

Watching Istanbul yesterday showed how much we needed a Didi in the side to play it cool, break it down etc. but Masch has more about him than Didi does. Masch has the ability to grab every opposition player, shove them in his pocket, and jump up and down (what a sh*te analogy).

He has the approach to get into someone's head and mentally F**k them up.

Tough choice, but Masch in the end. I saw both play equally and think Masch is more valuable to the side.

Cant really call it yet Dont think masch has hit his peak (still in the top three in his position in the world imo) still got some improving to do think in a couple of years he will be recognised as a better player than Didi but will have to do something amazing in his time at liverpool to be rememberd more fondly than him after coming on in istanbul and sorting kaka out

Didi only excelled towards the latter part of his Liverpool career anyone that votes Didi ahead of Masch are only blinded by that Champions League final.

There was a lot of questions after we signed Didi for £8.5 million at the time he took a good while to settle. Didi was a top class holding player that Bayern were happy to sell for £4.5 million at no time was Didi world class.

I'm genuinely shocked that anyone is voting Didi ahead of Masch who is genuinely world class.

Tough nut to crack that question.  They both are top class.  Maybe if Masch gets us the goals against city than....

Masch is a great footballer but I would pick Didi in first for the fact he can hit some awesome goals from the edge of the box. I know Masch can too hit balls really hard, . Hope he scores against city.

Didi only excelled towards the latter part of his Liverpool career anyone that votes Didi ahead of Masch are only blinded by that Champions League final.

There was a lot of questions after we signed Didi for £8.5 million at the time he took a good while to settle. Didi was a top class holding player that Bayern were happy to sell for £4.5 million at no time was Didi world class.

I'm genuinely shocked that anyone is voting Didi ahead of Masch who is genuinely world class.

We offered Alonso for 12m and no one wanted him but he is world class. But anyway.

I agree he took more time to settle. I'm not shocked because he was so vital for Gerrard in midfield, and thats why he's class.

Come along now Brian, you can't start a topic and then abstain from voting in the poll now, can you? 

Ha ha bloody sure I can mate. Its a toughie

Didi only excelled towards the latter part of his Liverpool career anyone that votes Didi ahead of Masch are only blinded by that Champions League final.

There was a lot of questions after we signed Didi for £8.5 million at the time he took a good while to settle. Didi was a top class holding player that Bayern were happy to sell for £4.5 million at no time was Didi world class.

I'm genuinely shocked that anyone is voting Didi ahead of Masch who is genuinely world class.

Completely disagree if I'm honest.

Didi was world class. Along with Sami Hyypia, his reading of the game was second to none. His positional play was outstanding and that lack of pace and engine was compensated with some fabulous positional play.

He kept the ball much better that Masch too. If you're sitting in front of the back four you need to keep the ball well and Didi did that. Masch doesn't do that. He lost the ball three times in dangerous positions against Unirea alone. Decent teams might have punished us for a couple of those.

Masch is a very good player don't get me wrong. I love his determination and his energy but he has a long way to becoming a complete defensive midfielder. At the moment, he can tackle and run all day long. Still not enough to be world class. If he continues to develop, improves his passing, improves his discipline and starts to offer us a bit more in the attacking half of the pitch then he'll overtake Didi.

But at the moment it's Didi for me, who along with Makelele was the greatest holding midfielder I have ever seen.

Really tough, I can't vote.

Didi was always so relaxed about his pay, and you would never really think 'F**k he's really put in a shift today' but that was only because his positinal play was brilliant, so he was never having to sprint back to position. He would just keep things ticking over in midfield, and allow others to push on forward, and as has already been mentioned he chipped in with a few goals to.

Didi only excelled towards the latter part of his Liverpool career anyone that votes Didi ahead of Masch are only blinded by that Champions League final.

There was a lot of questions after we signed Didi for £8.5 million at the time he took a good while to settle. Didi was a top class holding player that Bayern were happy to sell for £4.5 million at no time was Didi world class.

I'm genuinely shocked that anyone is voting Didi ahead of Masch who is genuinely world class.

But Hamann could play a forward pass!

And as for saying Hamann took time to settle in, might that have anything to do with the injury he picked up on the opening day of the 99/2000 season at Hillsborough, which put him out for a while.

It would be Didi for me, simply because for all his supposed lack of pace, he could still drive the ball forward and create goals, for example the goal he created for Owen at Cardiff in 2003 against the mancs.

And he had an awesome shot on him as well and he took a decent free-kick - Fulham away when they used to play at QPR!

Have to say Didi here. Always did his job and rarely had a bad game. Masch is good but I would prefer to have Didi.

Ha ha bloody sure I can mate. Its a toughie

Monster Masch!!!! 

Masch for me.

Watching Istanbul yesterday showed how much we needed a Didi in the side to play it cool, break it down etc. but Masch has more about him than Didi does. Masch has the ability to grab every opposition player, shove them in his pocket, and jump up and down (what a sh*te analogy).

He has the approach to get into someone's head and mentally f**k them up.

Tough choice, but Masch in the end. I saw both play equally and think Masch is more valuable to the side.

My sentiments exactly.

has mascherano reached his peak as yet?   

has mascherano reached his peak as yet?   

Fair point.

No and that is why it has to be Masch every time, they are comparing Hamann at his peak to Masch now. Masch is only going to get better and better.

25 all at the moment, going to be a close run thing this.

25 all at the moment, going to be a close run thing this.

Ive yet to vote 

Didi for me , Masha has me worried every time he tackles anyone even if he has had a yellow he doesn't know how to hold back wherehas The Kieser was more cuter and always made it look like he was the one fouled , Didi made Istanbul happen not Rafa Benitez .

At the moment Didi would edge it for me but hopefully Masch has his best years to still come yet.

Two top defensive midfielders, and along with Essien cant think of many better the last few years

At the moment Didi would edge it for me but hopefully Masch has his best years to still come yet.

Exactly.

Has Masch peaked yet? Does he have more to offer?

He's got a hot head, usually serves him well but gets him in trouble at times, like that red card against the mancs following which we got sh*t on 3-0. Occassional difficulty with straightforward passing, could offer more going forward (I know he's a defensive midfielder, but still).

He can improve in certain areas. If he does, he could surpass Didi, but for me, he hasn't done it - yet.